Bucket type tool box

ABSTRACT

A tool box includes six parts pivotably connected with each other side-by-side so as to form a hexagonal tubular arrangement. Each part has recesses for receiving tools. A first connection part in the six parts has two first connection pieces on two ends thereof, and a second connection part in the six parts has two second connection pieces on two ends thereof. The rest of the six parts each have two combining pieces on two ends thereof. A top cover and a bottom cover are respectively mounted to two ends of the tubular arrangement and respectively engaged with the first combining pieces, the first connection pieces and the second connection pieces. The top cover can be opened and the space enclosed by the six parts may perform as a bucket.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a bucket type tool box that includes six parts arranged as a hexagonal bucket with removable top and bottom cover.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A conventional tool box is shown in FIG. 1 and generally includes a base 1 and a cover 2 which is pivotably connected to a side of the base 1 and each of the base 1 and the cover 2 has a plurality of recesses 12, 21 to receive tools and accessories therein. A locking piece 20 is connected to the cover 2 and an inclined inward recess 10 is defined in a side of the base 1. An engaging member 11 extends from the inside of the recess 10 so that when the cover 2 is closed up to the base 1, the locking piece 20 is engaged with the engaging member 11. Nevertheless, when opening the tool box, the cover 2 has to be opened 180 degrees to let both the base 1 and the cover 2 are put on a horizontal surface, and this occupies a lot of space which is limited in a work site. Although some tool boxes have multiple layers of drawers or receiving portions, they involve too many parts between the drawers or receiving portions. Besides, when expanding the drawers or receiving portions, it needs a large space.

[0003] The present invention intends to provide a bucket type tool box that saves a space to use and may accommodate a large number of tools and accessories.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tool box which comprises a plurality of parts pivotably connected with each other side-by-side so as to be arranged to be a tubular arrangement, and each part has recesses defined in one of two surfaces thereof for receiving tools therein. A first connection part in the six parts has two first connection pieces on two ends thereof, and a second connection part in the six parts has two second connection pieces on two ends thereof. The rest of the six parts each have two combining pieces on two ends thereof.

[0005] A top cover and a bottom cover are respectively mounted to two ends of the tubular arrangement. Each of the top cover and the bottom cover has a plurality of engaging pieces on a surface thereof so as to be disengageably connected with the combination pieces, Two positioning members are located at a periphery of each of thee top cover and the bottom cover so as to be respectively connected with the first connection pieces of the first connection part and second connection pieces of the second connection part.

[0006] The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustrations only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 is a perspective view to show a. conventional tool box;

[0008]FIG. 2 is an exploded view to show the tool box of the present invention;

[0009]FIG. 3 is an exploded view to show the six parts are arranged as a hexagonal tubular arrangement and the top cover is to be engaged with the hexagonal tubular arrangement of the tool box of the present invention;

[0010]FIGS. 4 and 5 shows two side cross sectional views of the engagement of the first connection pieces of the first connection part and the positioning members of the top and bottom covers;

[0011]FIG. 6 shows the engagement of the combination pieces of each of the parts and the engaging pieces of the top and the bottom covers;

[0012]FIG. 7 is a perspective view to show the tool box off the present application;

[0013]FIGS. 8 and 9 show another type of the first connection piece, and

[0014]FIGS. 10 and 11 show yet another type of the first connection piece.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0015] Referring to, FIGS. 2, 3 and 7 the tool. box of the present invention comprises a six parts 2, 200, and 3 which are pivotably connected with each other side-side-by hinge assemblies 31 by pins 5 so as to be arranged to be a hexagonal tubular arrangement. Each part 2/200/3 has recesses 20/30 defined in one of two surfaces thereof so as to receive tools and accessories therein.

[0016] A first connection part 2 in the six parts 2, 200, 3 has two first connection pieces 41 on two ends thereof and each first connection piece 41 has a notch 410. A second connection part 200 in the six parts 2, 200, 3 has two second connection pieces 201 on two ends thereof, and each of which has two rods extending from two ends of a base. The rest of the six parts 3 each have two combining pieces 32 such as ridges on two-ends thereof.

[0017] A top cover 5 and a bottom cover 5′ are respectively mounted to two ends of the tubular arrangement. Each of the top cover 5 and the bottom cover 5′ has a plurality of engaging pieces 51 such as grooves on a surface thereof so as to be disengageably connected with the ridges of the combination pieces 32 as shown in FIG. 6. Two, positioning members are located at a periphery of each of the top cover 5 and the bottom cover 5′ so as to be respectively connected with the first connection pieces 41 of the first connection part 2 and second connection pieces 201 of the second connection part 200. One of the two positioning members of each of the top cover 5 and the bottom cover 5′ has a protrusion 52 which is engaged with the notch 410 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The other one of the two positioning members of each of the top cover 5 and the bottom cover 5′ includes a concave area 53 and two holes 531 are defined in two insides of the concave area 53. The two rods 201 are pivotably received in the two holes 531.

[0018] The tool box does not need to expand any part and the users may access the tools from outside of the six parts 2, 200 and 3. The space that the six parts 2, 200 and 3 enclose can be performed as a bucket for temporarily receiving tools or small items.

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the first connection piece 41 may be employed to conventional tool box and includes a band 40 extending from the cover 6 and the base 7 has a protrusion 70 which is engaged with the notch 410 of the first connection piece 41.

[0020]FIGS. 10 and 11 show that the first connection piece 41 is an independent piece from the base 7 and the cover 6. There is an insertion 42 on one end of the band 40 so as to be inserted with a notch 60 in the outside of the cover 6, and a hook portion 410′ on the other end of the band 40 so as to, be connected with a hooking piece 71 on the base 7.

[0021] While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A tool box comprising: a plurality of parts pivotably connected with each other side-by-side so as to be arranged to be a tubular arrangement, each part having recesses defined in one of two surfaces thereof, a first connection part in the six parts having two first connection pieces on two ends thereof, a second connection part in the six parts having two second connection pieces on two ends thereof, the rest of the six parts, each having two combining pieces on two ends thereof, and a top cover and a bottom cover respectively mounted to two ends of the tubular arrangement, each of the top cover and the bottom cover having a plurality of engaging pieces on a surface thereof so as to be disengageably connected with the combination pieces, two positioning members located at a periphery of each of the top cover and the bottom cover so as to be respectively connected with the first connection pieces of the first connection part and second connection pieces of the second connection part.
 2. The tool box as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first connection pieces each have a notch defined in a side thereof and one of the two positioning members of each of the top cover and the bottom cover has a protrusion which is engaged with the notch.
 3. The tool box as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second connection pieces each have two rods extending from two ends of a base and the other one of the two positioning members of each of the top cover and the bottom cover includes a concave area and two holes are defined in two insides of the concave area, the two rods pivotably received in the two holes.
 4. The tool box as claimed in claim 1 wherein the combination pieces of each of the parts are ridges and the engaging pieces of each of the top cover and the bottom cover arc grooves which receive the ridges.
 5. The tool box as claimed in claim 1, the parts are connected with each other side-by-side by at least one hinge assembly. 